[1] [2] From that day forward there wanted not in England certeine vsurers called Caursini, which sought nothing else but the wealth of such persons as they might get into their snares, Matth. Paris. namelie those whome the church of Rome dooth vex and put to trou|ble with hir exactions and paiments. The earle of Chester onlie stood manfullie against the paiment of those tenths,The earle of Chester wold not permit the tenths to be gathered with in his land. insomuch that he would not suffer his lands to be brought vnder bondage, neither wold he permit the religious men and préests that held of his fee to pay the same, although the rest of England, Wales, Ireland, and Scotland were compelled to be contributorie thereto, hauing onelie this comfort, that not they alone, but also other forren regions were driuen to doo the like. Thus did the locusts of Rome from time to time sucke the swéetnesse of the land, and all to mainteine the pompe and pride of the same, wherein what other practises did they vse, than as one truelie testifieth?

Cuncti luxuriae at gulae, furtis dolis

Certatim incumbunt, &c.

But to let this passe: king Henrie purposing to saile ouer into Britaine and inuade France,King Henrie prepareth to passe ouer into France. came to Portsmouth about Michaelmasse, with such an armie assembled out of England, Wales, Ireland, and Scotland, as the like for number of people had not beene knowne to haue passed ouer with any of his ancesters: howbeit when he should come to the verie point of imbarking his people, with vittels, armor, and other prouision, there were not ships sufficient to passe ouer the one halfe of the armie: wherefore when the king saw this default, he was sore offended, but chéefelie with Hubert the earle of Kent, lord chéefe iustice, insomuch that he openlie called him old trai|tor, and laid to his charge how he had thus vsed the matter of purpose, onelie to pleasure the queene of France,The earle of Kent fallen in to the kings displeasure. of whome (as he said) he had receiued fiue thousand marks to hinder his proceedings. In this heat if the earle of Chester and other had not béene at hand, he had suerlie slaine the chéefe iustice euen there with his drawne sword, who was glad to auoid his presence, till his angrie mood was somwhat ouer|passed.